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In today’s world, a woman can’t seem to get a win. If you’re curvy, you are fat-shamed, if you’re skinny, you’re accused of starving yourself and setting a bad example. Sure, things are looking up and women are beginning to rebel against the narrow notion of perfection and beauty. Take Ashley Graham for instance, she points out how mean people can be and how their words become etched in your brain forever, long after they’ve forgotten uttering them. She mentions an example when she was at the beginning of her modeling career and recalls another model asking her ‘did you actually get paid for this job?’ She thought about quitting, but persevered. Now she owns runways, transforming the outdated notion of beauty, changing the game.

On the other hand, we have seen that Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland was pushed toward writing an eight-page long letter addressing accusations that she’s promoting anorexia. It’s time to shatter all the beauty myths, accept and love yourself and just strive towards being the best possible you.

When it comes to your physical appearance, the situation is far more clear-cut than you think, and enhancing your appearance revolves around only two things – change and acceptance. There are tiny things about our faces and bodies that you can fix if they’re the cause of your insecurity. For instance, if your concern is your skin, invest in good skincare, stick to the regimen and you’ll notice a difference. If you have skin pigmentation, turn to a professional. Australian women put their trust in professionals such as the ones from Aphrodite and Apollo Cosmetic Medicine clinicand just like them, you can find a trustworthy dermatologist to address your insecurities.

Take a long hard look in the mirror and note down at least three things you like about yourself. If you have beautiful eyes, focus on them. Determine the shape of your eyes and face and find just the makeup techniques that will suit you best. Makeup has an incredible impact on self-esteem, but never use it as a cover or a shield. Instead, focus on enhancing your natural features and just bring out the best. Don’t fall prey to the standards of beauty that have a lead, as Mila Kunis says, to lose sense of yourself and look like everyone else. Truly, it is bizarre how everyone has the same facial features, so celebrate your uniqueness and embrace your flaws, your thin lips, your imperfectly perfect nose, and never try to be like everyone else.

When it comes to your wardrobe, always keep in mind one thing: there are no imperfect bodies, there are just good and bad clothes. As Rebel Wilson a proud curvy woman who started her own clothing line to cater to the needs of other curvy women said, the same dress in a whole size range won’t look as good on everyone. Emphasizing your beloved traits and concealing parts you’re not crazy about is the key, as well as wearing clothes that are actually your size and you feel comfortable in. Learn how todress for your body type and purchase those items that make you look stunning. You’d be surprised with how just the right clothes can make you feel like a whole new person.

Of course, a great appearance is nothing if you don’t have the personality to back it up, and you most certainly do. If you have doubts about your self-worth, try a few exercises that are bound to make you feel enormously better. Aside from noting down the physical traits you love, note down at least three positive personality ones. Think about your kindness, willingness to help, sense of humor, brains, whatever you can think of – put it on paper. Think of the things that you aren’t fond of and make a promise to yourself to change them. Positive change is just that – positive, and striving towards being a better person is the strongest self-esteem building tool.

Cut ties with toxic people, they will never appreciate you and will always aim towards making you feel small. True friends build each other up, and life is too short to spend it in toxic relationships. And, when those amazing people in your life tell you how great you are, believe them. They wouldn’t say it if they didn’t mean it.

Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty, and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips. Twitter | Facebook